Samson Motor Works of Meadow Vista, Calif., brought a mockup of its kit-built flying motorcycle to AirVenture. It’s called the Switchblade because of the way the wings pop out from underneath the aircraft.

It’s not yet ready for production, but the company estimates the cost will be $60,000 for a kit without an engine or avionics, but based on the probability that you’ll want both, the cost of the kit when ready to fly is listed at $80,000. The target date for a test flight is early in 2010, with kit deliveries planned for later in 2010.

For an engine, you’ll have a wide choice as a kit builder. You could use, according to the company, the Freedom rotary engine, the Lycoming IO-320, the Yamaha FJR 1300, or the Suzuki Hayabusa.

“We might be able to come in lower on the price than we have predicted,” said a company official.

Alton K. Marsh

Freelance journalist

Alton K. Marsh is a former senior editor of AOPA Pilot and is now a freelance journalist specializing in aviation topics.